Written questions by Francois.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department received legal advice on the imminence of legal rulings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Chagos Islands.

The Government's position in relation to the UK-Mauritius treaty has been informed by legal advice throughout. The Government's legal position was set out on 22 May when the treaty was signed, and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-secures-future-of-vital-diego-garcia-military-base-to-protect-national-security

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 61737, tabled on 23 June 2025.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member's question. I issued a response to the hon. Member on 3 July.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department plans to answer Question 60828, tabled on 18 June 2025.

My response to Question 60828 was returned on 02 July.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question 61738 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, which Department will fund costs arising from the function of the Joint Commission; and whether his Department has discussed appointment to the Commission with potential candidates.

The payments will be split between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Ministry of Defence.As is clear from paragraph 2 of Annex 3, both the UK and Mauritius shall appoint one senior representative as co-chair of the Joint Commission and four additional representatives. The terms of reference of the Joint Commission will be finalised in the coming months, well ahead of entry into force.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has for allowing parliamentary time for (a) scrutiny and (b) ratification of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia.

We have consistently said that, once a deal was signed, we would lay it before the House for scrutiny in the usual way. That is exactly what we have done. Parliamentary business will be arranged in the usual way.I have appeared before the IRDC/IAC on 17 June and the FAC on 23 June to discuss the agreement, I have also answered over a hundred written parliamentary questions on the Chagos Archipelago since 22 May.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what discussions he has had with Mauritius on its status as a state party to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty in relation to the operations of the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.

The United Kingdom will ensure all operations on Diego Garcia comply with our obligations under applicable international law.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex 3 of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, who will be responsible for appointing the UK members of the joint commission; whether the positions will be publicly advertised; what pay they will receive; and whether the Attorney General will ex officio be a member.

The UK Government will appoint members of the Joint Commission. These will likely be officials with related responsibilities from relevant departments. There will be no additional remuneration for fulfilling these duties.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex 3 of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, where meetings of the Joint Commission will be held; and what (a) travel and (b) accommodation budget he has planned for its UK-appointed members.

The management of the Joint Commission will be agreed between the Parties as part of the implementation of the Agreement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) his US counterpart and (b) other international partners on the compliance of US military strikes on Iran with the United Kingdom’s obligations under international law; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of those strikes.

The UK did not participate in the US' strikes. The Foreign Secretary has been engaging with Secretary of State Rubio on a regular basis, to discuss the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and to make progress on a lasting settlement, to address Iran's nuclear programme. The legal basis for the US' action is a matter for them.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to answer Question (a) 58924, (b) 58928, (c) 58929 and (d) 58932, tabled on 11 June 2025.

A response has been provided for each of these parliamentary questions on Friday 20 June.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether a judicial review of a Minister's actions in relation to the use of Diego Garcia would be allowed under Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025].

The Treaty between the UK and Mauritius regarding sovereignty is not capable of being a source of domestic rights or obligations save to the extent that in due course Parliament enacts provision for them.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to articles 6 and 11 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether he has made an agreement with Mauritius for British Chagossians to access (a) the Trust Fund, (b) resettlement and (c) dual nationality.

Ahead of ratification, the Government will make a ministerial Statement in both Houses providing a factual update on eligibility for resettlement and the modalities of the trust fund.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 4 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), which international court has jurisdiction on whether UK/US operations in Diego Garcia are in accordance with Mauritius’ membership of the Treaty of Pelindaba.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to his PQ 54633.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a complaint against Mauritius under the Treaty of Pelindaba on the storage of nuclear weapons on Diego Garcia; and whether the UK would cooperate with inspections of the base under that treaty.

I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his PQs 18902 and 54633.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex IV of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, what estimate he has made of the average annual cost to the public purse of legal cases heard through the arbitration mechanism; and whether he has had discussions with (a) UK and (b) other lawyers on joining the tribunal.

Details of the arbitration mechanism, including the identities of arbitrators, will be agreed with Mauritius through the Joint Commission.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 54676 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases and with reference to Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, whether the UK will ensure (a) its storage of nuclear weapons at the base and (b) all other operations on Diego Garcia comply with Mauritius’ (i) current and (ii) future international law obligations under the (A) Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, (B) Treaty of Pelindaba and (C) Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan 2025-2027.

I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his PQs 18902 and 54633.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to take legislative steps to support the implementation of the Chagos deal.

Section 5 of the Explanatory Memorandum sets out the process for Treaty implementation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 14(1)(h) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what the (a) functions and (b) authority of the Joint Commission will be in resolving disputes on the interpretation of the Agreement.

Article 14 of the Treaty sets out the role of the Joint Commission in resolving disputes while Annex 3 paragraph 6 sets out the functions of the Joint Commission. All decisions of the Joint Commission require the agreement of both parties.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 11 of the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, whether he plans to put in place mechanisms to help ensure that the trust fund is (a) managed transparently and (b) is used to support the Chagossian community.

As outlined in the Explanatory Memorandum, the UK will capitalise a Trust Fund established by Mauritius for the benefit of Chagossians. The Mauritian government will oversee the fund, but the UK will work with them to develop its details during implementation discussions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 8 of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to take to ensure investigations by the Government of Mauritius of criminal offences do not compromise classified military operations in Diego Garcia as defined by Article 19 of the Agreement.

Article 3(2) of the treaty clearly states that Mauritius cannot undermine, prejudice or otherwise interfere with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the Base on Diego Garcia, and that Mauritius shall cooperate to that end. This will ensure that military operations are not compromised in any way. Additionally, by ensuring Mauritius has jurisdiction over any future illegal migration, it will close off a dangerous immigration route.